Common Causes of Nausea and vomiting
1. Viral Gastroenteritis
The most common cause of acute nausea and vomiting, usually with diarrhoea. Caused by norovirus, rotavirus and other viruses. Typically self-limiting within 1–3 days. Oral rehydration is the key treatment.
2. Food Poisoning
Contaminated food or water causes vomiting (sometimes with diarrhoea and fever) within hours to days of consumption. Common bacteria: Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, Bacillus cereus.
3. Pregnancy (Morning Sickness)
Nausea and vomiting are extremely common in the first trimester of pregnancy. Severe persistent vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum) may require medical treatment and hospitalisation.
4. Medications & Drugs
Many medicines can cause nausea: antibiotics, NSAIDs, opioids, iron supplements, cancer chemotherapy, certain antibiotics and metformin. Alcohol excess is another common cause.
5. Migraine
Nausea and vomiting are prominent features of migraine attacks, often alongside severe headache, sensitivity to light and sound and visual aura.
6. Gallbladder Disease
Biliary colic causes sudden right upper abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting, often after fatty meals. Cholecystitis adds fever and persistent pain.
7. Pancreatitis
Severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back with nausea and vomiting. May be caused by gallstones or alcohol.
8. Gastrointestinal Obstruction
Bowel obstruction causes persistent vomiting (often bilious or faeculent), abdominal distension and inability to pass stool. A surgical emergency.
9. Motion Sickness / Vestibular Disorders
Inner-ear disorders and motion sickness cause nausea through balance-system stimulation. BPPV and labyrinthitis may present with prominent nausea.
10. Metabolic Causes (DKA, Uraemia)
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can present with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and altered consciousness. Uraemia from kidney failure also causes persistent nausea. These are medical emergencies.
⚠️ When Should You Seek Medical Care?
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- 🚨 Vomiting blood (haematemesis) or coffee-ground material
- 🚨 Vomiting with severe abdominal pain — possible surgical emergency
- 🚨 Vomiting with severe headache and neck stiffness (possible meningitis)
- 🚨 Persistent vomiting causing inability to keep any fluids down
- 🚨 Signs of dehydration: sunken eyes, dry mouth, reduced urine, extreme weakness
- 🚨 Vomiting with confusion or altered consciousness
- 🚨 Vomiting with suspected bowel obstruction: distension, no stool, bilious vomiting
- 🚨 Persistent vomiting during pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum)
- Vomiting with significant unexplained weight loss over weeks
Which Laboratory Tests May Be Considered?
Clinical note: Laboratory tests should be selected by a doctor based on your symptoms, history and clinical examination. Not every person requires all of the tests listed below.
| Test | Why a Doctor May Consider It |
|---|---|
| Blood Glucose | To exclude hypoglycaemia or DKA in diabetics |
| Ketones / Urine Ketones | For suspected DKA |
| Electrolytes | Vomiting causes loss of sodium, potassium and chloride — important to assess |
| Kidney Function Tests | To assess dehydration severity and exclude uraemia |
| Liver Function Tests | For biliary, hepatic or pancreatic causes |
| Amylase / Lipase | For suspected pancreatitis |
| CBC | For infection markers, anaemia |
| Pregnancy Test (urine/serum HCG) | In women of reproductive age — always important to consider |
| Urine Routine | For UTI or ketones |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does vomiting need a doctor?
Seek medical attention if vomiting is persistent, associated with blood, severe pain or dehydration (very little urine, extreme thirst, dizziness on standing), occurs with severe headache or neck stiffness, or you cannot keep any fluids down.
Can anxiety cause nausea?
Yes. Anxiety and stress can cause nausea through the gut-brain connection. However, persistent nausea should be medically evaluated to exclude physical causes.
Is morning nausea always pregnancy?
Not always, though pregnancy is an important cause in women of reproductive age. Morning nausea can also occur with acid reflux, anxiety, certain medications or vestibular disorders.
QXL Diagnostic Support
When your doctor recommends investigations for nausea and vomiting, QXL Diagnostics provides electrolytes, blood glucose, liver and kidney function tests, amylase and other tests with home collection across Bengaluru.
Related Health Topics
Medical Review
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Shantakumar Muruda, MD - Medical Biochemistry; Founder & CEO, QXL Diagnostics Super Speciality Lab, Bengaluru
Last medically reviewed: 2026-09-11
Clinical reference framework:Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine; Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics; and relevant specialty guidance as clinically appropriate.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is intended for general health education and does not diagnose an individual medical condition. It does not replace consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Seek urgent medical attention for severe, sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms or any emergency warning signs described above.